In the human performance lab, you get to observe the scientific processes you’re learning about in your classroom—in real time. Calvin’s human performance lab isn’t just an extension of the classroom. It’s also a facility where clients from all over Michigan come to achieve their fitness goals. And who is their practitioner for the day? You.
Here are five of Calvin’s many exercise machines that you’ll have access to as a kinesiology student.
- Metabolic cart
The best way to measure your client’s physical fitness is by tracking their breathing patterns. With the metabolic cart, you can measure how much oxygen your client uses when their body is at rest.
- BodPod
Ever wonder why you’re not losing weight when you’re strength training? The body has two types of mass—fat mass and lean mass—and a simple scale doesn’t know the difference between them. The BodPod does. Calvin is one of the few universities that offers BodPod tests to the public. As a kinesiology student, you’ll assist clients when they come to use the BodPod.
- Monark bicycles
Monark bikes can measure the peak of your client’s physical performance in a 30-second test. They can also track your client’s cardiorespiratory fitness by observing how their blood pressure changes when they exercise.
- Force plate
The force plate can measure your client’s balance and power using a system of sensors that track the pressure points in the feet. You can develop a plan to help them improve by comparing their balance before and after exercise.
- Functional movement screen
Using the functional movement screen, you can help your client identify the areas of movement they need to work on. Finding these weaknesses will reduce their risk of injury and improve their physical performance.